Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

⁵ The Lord appeared to Solomon at Gibeon. He spoke to him in a dream during the night. God said, “Ask for anything you want me to give you.”

⁶ Solomon answered, “You have been very kind to my father David, your servant. That’s because he was faithful to you. He did what was right. His heart was honest. And you have continued to be very kind to him. You have given him a son to sit on his throne this day.

⁷ “Lord my God, you have now made me king. You have put me in the place of my father David. But I’m only a little child. I don’t know how to carry out my duties. ⁸ I’m here among the people you have chosen. They are a great nation. They are more than anyone can count. ⁹ So give me a heart that understands. Then I can rule over your people. I can tell the difference between what is right and what is wrong. Who can possibly rule over this great nation of yours?”

¹⁰ The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for that. ¹¹ So God said to him, “You have not asked to live for a long time. You have not asked to be wealthy. You have not even asked to have your enemies killed. Instead, you have asked for wisdom. You want to do what is right and fair when you judge people. Because that is what you have asked for, ¹² I will give it to you. I will give you a wise and understanding heart. So here is what will be true of you. There has never been anyone like you. And there never will be. ¹³ And that is not all. I will give you what you have not asked for. I will give you wealth and honor. As long as you live, no other king will be as great as you are. ¹⁴ Live the way I want you to. Obey my laws and commands, just as your father David did. Then I will let you live for a long time.”

Challenge to What Jesus Says About Himself

¹² Jesus spoke to the people again. He said, “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in darkness. They will have that light. They will have life.”

¹³ The Pharisees argued with him. “Here you are,” they said, “appearing as your own witness. But your witness does not count.”

¹⁴ Jesus answered, “Even if I am a witness about myself, what I say does count. I know where I came from. And I know where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. ¹⁵ You judge by human standards. I don’t judge anyone. ¹⁶ But if I do judge, what I decide is true. This is because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. ¹⁷ Your own Law says that the witness of two people proves the truth about something. ¹⁸ I am a witness about myself. The other witness about me is the Father, who sent me.”

¹⁹ Then they asked him, “Where is your father?”

“You do not know me or my Father,” Jesus replied. “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.”